Brother Bennos collecting toys

Soup kitchen to give kids toys for Christmas

Brother Bennos volunteers gave out 2,400 toys for Christmas to 800 needy families last year. Volunteers Amy Barber, left, and Jennifer Doyle, at right, placed age and gender categorized gifts into bags for kids as they arrive. The nonprofit is collecting toy donations for this year's event. CHARLIE NEUMAN/U-T

Brother Bennos volunteers gave out 2,400 toys for Christmas to 800 needy families last year. Volunteers Amy Barber, left, and Jennifer Doyle, at right, placed age and gender categorized gifts into bags for kids as they arrive. The nonprofit is collecting toy donations for this year's event. CHARLIE NEUMAN/U-T

OCEANSIDE  Brother Bennos, an Oceanside-based nonprofit serving the homeless and working poor, is collecting toys for distribution to an expected 2,000 needy children in the area.

Last year several dozen volunteers from their teens to their 80s, gave out 2,400 toys at the Christmas event held in the center on Production Avenue.

More than 800 families were invited to the event to pick out one gift for each of their children. Many families started ling up before 7 a.m. despite temperatures in the 30s.

Community members can drop off toys or gift cards from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at its thrift shop, 3955 Mission Ave. in Oceanside or from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily, except Sunday, through Dec. 16 at the main center, 3260 Production Ave., Oceanside.

For more information, call the shop at (760) 967-7505 or the center at (760) 439-1244.